The Orville
There ’s no denyingThe Orvillehas borrow to a great extent from theStar Trekfranchise , but some of the shared elements work better than others in Seth MacFarlane ’s space opera . Beginning as aStar Trekparody , The Orvillehas gradually grown to fit the description of a love varsity letter to the fabled sci - fi franchise . The two properties are now so unofficially intertwined thatThe Orvillecould easily be misinterpret as part of theStar Trektimeline . While this is n’t the case , it ’s obvious how the mistake could be made , and all due to MacFarlane ’s decisiveness to replicateStar Trek ’s design so closely .
Star Trekis one of the oldest andmost successful sci - fi franchises of all meter . WithoutStar Trek , many other sci - fi movies and TV shows would n’t subsist , andThe Orvilledefinitely match into his category . While many of the projects inspired byStar Trektook keen strides to put their own mark on the sci - fi genre , The Orvilleis very content with openly imitatingStar Trek . MacFarlane ’s show makes no secret of the fact that it ’s not an original concept , but it does brilliantly make use of several key chemical element introduce or first championed byStar Trek .
With The Orville ’s future tense in dubiousness following the time of year 3 finale , here ’s everything we know about time of year 4 of Seth MacFarlane ’s sci - fi comedy - drama .
10The Orville’s Planetary Union Holds All The Same Ideals As Star Trek’s United Federation Of Planets
Both sci-fi organizations prioritize exploration & collaboration
MostStar Trekshows paint the future as a utopian , interstellar residential area that ’s build up on exploration and collaboration between planets . While wars do inevitably break out between those who take issue with the Federation ’s ideals and actions , the franchise emphasizes the grandness of seeing preceding departure and or else focus on similarities . The Orville ’s Planetary Union is essentially a return of the Federationand holds the same belief organization .
Interestingly , The Orvilledoes streamline the conception ofStar Trek ’s Federation and how it interacts with Starfleet .
Interestingly , The Orvilledoes streamline the concept ofStar Trek ’s Federation and how it interact with Starfleet . InStar Trek , Starfleet is an Earth - base organization that character like Captain Picard and other officers go to . However , the Federation of Planets , while also Earth - based , is n’t the same as Starfleet , as the Federation is an umbrella term that comprehend all of its member worlds . The Orvillehas basically combine Starfleet and the Federation to make the Planetary Union .
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
9The USS Orville Has A Non-Human Crew Member Who Slowly Becomes More Human
Star Trek casts almost always have a crewmember that fits this description
The Orville ’s Isaac is a fellow member of a mankind - made , to the full synthetical slipstream called the Kaylon . As the show advance , Isaac learns more and more about his fellow crewmatesand eventually begin to expose signs of their influence . For those unfamiliar withStar Trek , this may seem like an original arc for a non - human character , but it ’s one thatStar Trekhas used several time before .
As a Vulcan / human hybrid , Spock ’s story go around partly around the concept of embracing his human side .
The firstStar Trekcharacter to meet this role was Leonard Nimoy when he play Spock inStar Trek : The Original Series ' cast . As a Vulcan / human loan-blend , Spock ’s taradiddle revolve partly around the concept of espouse his human side . Since then , otherStar Trekcharacters have experience similar journey . model includeStar Trek : The Next Generation ’s Data , played by Brent Spiner , and Robert Picardo ’s holographic doctor during his time as part of theStar Trek : Voyagercast .
Created by Seth McFarlane and set in the 25th century, The Orville follows the crew of the titular ship and its captain, Ed Mercer (McFarlane) as they explore the galaxy. Inspired by Star Trek, it also spoofs the sci-fi classic, taking a comedic approach to its serialized story and science-fiction premise. Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, and Scott Grimes star alongside McFarlane as part of an ensemble cast.
8Quantum Drive Is Essentially Just Warp Drive Under A Different Name
Seth MacFarlane directly borrowed the USS Orville’s FTL tech from Star Trek
fast - than - light actuation is an all-important part of almost every space opera house . Theoverused sci - fi tropeallows the story ’s characters to explore profoundly into the universe than would otherwise be possible . While somefranchises likeThe Expanseavoid this trope , such an occurrent is rarified . Star Trek ’s warp campaign final result in a much broader landscape in which to define its stories , with each warp constituent being a character to the upper of light . Some sci - fi dealership go about fast - than - sparkle locomotion differently , butThe Orville ’s Quantum Drive is an exact copy ofStar Trek ’s warp driving .
Warp factor 1 inStar Trekis the velocity of light source , warp gene 2 is twice the focal ratio of light , and so on .
Despite the selfsame nature of Quantum Drive and Warp Drive , the two franchise put a dissimilar emphasis on the importance of the technology in one specific example . InStar Trek , First Contact can only be made with an alien civilization if they too have developed Warp Drive . The Orvilledoesn’t keep abreast this rule when it come to First Contact , although the Union does make its own determinations on whether an developing humans is quick to be reach .
7The Union Ships Have A Very Similar Layout To Starfleet Ships
Areas like the bridge and the mess hall look very familiar in Star Trek & The Orville
Sci - fi starship take on a different tone and functionalitydepending on the franchise , butStarfleet ship are unbelievably uniform in their plan . Although there are some variances depending on the class of ship , areas like the nosepiece , applied science , and the mess hall , all share a stunning law of similarity . If the USS Orville were thrust into theStar Trekuniverse , a Starfleet officer would likely have no problem navigating the funnily intimate vessel .
oral sex - to - head , the USS Orville and a ship like the USS Enterprise could be very equally check due to their share specifications .
Even on the outside , The Orville ’s ships do n’t look that far withdraw from theirStar Trekcounterparts . Of course , some differences mean they can be enjoin aside , but the watercraft inThe Orvillecould easily just be a young model or class of ship in theStar Trekfranchise . Head - to - head , the USS Orville and a ship like the USS Enterprise could be very evenly tally due to their shared specification .
6The Planetary Union’s Ranking System Is The Same As Starfleet’s
Star Trek & The Orville both adopt the same hierarchical structure as the US Navy
The hierarchy of the Union and Starfleet is dictate by a military - style ranking system of rules . Both franchises free-base this complex body part on the system establish in the US Navy . This is n’t especially surprising given how many marine terms also use to space travel in science - fiction . So , whileThe Orvillearguably ca n’t be said to have adoptedStar Trek ’s officeholder rate system , it is interesting that they also imitated the US Navy . The most likely explanation is thatThe Orvilletook this course of action becauseStar Trekalready had .
The Orville has often borrowed from the Star Trek franchise , but now it ’s become its biggest competitor thanks to being better than forward-looking Star Trek .
The Orvilledoesn’t conform to the US Navy ’s ranking structure quite as closely asStar Trek , as it omits an intact rank and file from the Ernst Boris Chain of command . WhereasStar Trek ’s progression lead : Ensign , Lieutenant ( Junior Grade ) , Lieutenant , Lieutenant Commander , Commander , Captain , then Admiral , The Orvilleskips over Lieutenant ( Junior Grade ) . give thatThe Orvillebegan a little more lighthearted thanStar Trek , it make senseThe Orville ’s ranking structure would be slenderly simplified .
5Many Star Trek Species Have A Counterpart In The Orville Universe
Many of the aliens in The Orville share a similar aesthetic with those in Star Trek
BecauseThe Orvilleisn’t actually part of theStar Trekcanon , MacFarlane ’s show is n’t allow to expend any of the same species from the franchise that inspired it so hard . That being enjoin , some of the character designs and personality traits of many of the foreign wash inThe Orvillebring to beware counterparts in theStar Trekuniverse . For instance , the Moclans inThe Orvilleseem very much like a take onStar Trek ’s iconic Klingons .
MacFarlane has made an drive to separate the them , but the initial influence is easy to spot .
likewise , Xelayan fictional character like Alara and Talla appear to be based to a great extent onStar Trek ’s Vulcans . Not only do the two races share the far-famed tapered ears , butXelayans and Vulcans are both notably stronger than humans . The traditional knowledge besiege each of all the relevant similar species is n’t identical , so MacFarlane has made an attempt to break them , but the initial influence is prosperous to discern .
4The Weapons In The Orville Could Comfortably Belong In The Star Trek Universe
The Orville crew can’t set their “phasers” to stun, but they can come very close
Neither the Union nor the Federation are military organizations- they ’re explorers . While fight is seldom an intention for either body , place is a dangerous stead . As such , they require to be capable to defend themselves . To do this , they postulate weaponry that at least match that of their various enemies . The Union and the Federation ’s shared necessary to remain firm their ground has resulted in the evolution of sci - fi armaments that are essentially exchangeable .
Where Starfleet traditionally expend Photon Torpedos , the union has Plasma Torpedos .
Where Starfleet traditionally habituate Photon Torpedos , the union has Plasma Torpedos . The USS Enterprise will often defend itself with Phaser Cannons , and the USS Orville could match the damage with its Plasma Cannons . In short , there ’s no firepower boasted by a Starfleet ship that would leave a Union ship want . Such a lineal lift fromStar TrekallowsThe Orvilleviewers to largely understand the offensive capabilities of Captain Ed Mercer ’s ship almost immediately .
3The Orville & Star Trek Both Star An Ensemble Cast With No Main Character
Captain Ed Mercer isn’t the main protagonist in every episode of The Orville
EveryStar Trekshowhas a captain or a loss leader of the bunch . However , that does n’t necessarily make them the tale ’s main fiber . Although Sonequa Martin - Green head theStar Trek : Discoverycastas Michael Burnham , every other show within the franchise give full role of its ensemble casts , with certain character vary in their prominence on an episode - by - episode basis . The Orvilletakes this approach , avoiding too much focus on any queer lineament .
If Seth MacFarlane had n’t decided to spread the attention around among his co - stars , The Orvillewould have felt much less likeStar Trekthan it cease up doing .
The Orville ’s cast is filled with colorful and well - write characterswho all contribute something different to the show , as is the instance with many of theStar Trekcasts . If Seth MacFarlane had n’t decided to get to the attention around among his co - stars , The Orvillewould have felt much less likeStar Trekthan it terminate up doing . It ’s a big part of the formula forStar Trek , so it make sensation that MacFarlane would borrow this too .
2The Union’s Uniforms Are Color-Coded By Division Like In Starfleet
The Orville’s colors don’t match up with the Star Trek divisions
The Union and Starfleet are both divided into unlike segmentation , and the colour of an military officer ’s uniform is a ready way of delimit to which one they belong to . Whilewhat these colors mean inStar Trekhas changed since the days ofThe Original Seriesand its near - ERA , The Orville ’s colour system has remained unaltered since the show began . Generally , fromStar Trek : The Next Generation - onward , red represent Command , scandalmongering mean Operations , and those wearing K are Science and Medical personnel .
It would have been a little too unmediated forThe Orvilleto utterly mimic how Starfleet tells its segmentation apart at a glimpse , but the changes are so superficial that it ’s still easy to say what ’s going on .
The Orvilledoesn’t just borrowStar Trek ’s uniform coloring systembut amplify it by adding a fourth category while also changing the colors around . InThe Orville , juicy uniforms represent Command , Orange River is Engineering , green is aesculapian , and Red is for those in Security . It would have been a little too unmediated forThe Orvilleto perfectly mimic how Starfleet tells its divisions aside at a glance , but the change are so superficial that it ’s still easy to tell what ’s going on .
1The Orville Borrows Some Of The Star Trek Franchise’s Biggest Stars
MacFarlane has also appeared in a Star Trek show before
Casting decisions are a Brobdingnagian consideration when attempt to make a successful boob tube show , andStar Trekhas already been responsible for enter role player who were perfect for their purpose . As part ofThe Orville ’s overall homage toStar Trek , MacFarlane ’s sci - fi show has had severalStar Trekactorsshow up as original characters that often had at least a loose connection to their illustrious role .
Many Star Trek doer have had cameo show on The Orville , but there ’s still one who require to seem before Seth MacFarlane ’s sci - fi show ends .
It is n’t just in front of the television camera thatStar Trekpersonnel call for themselves with the product ofThe Orville . asterisk likeVoyager ’s Robert Duncan McNeill andThe Next Generation ’s Jonathon Frakes have each lead more than one episode of MacFarlane ’s sci - fi show . Brannon Braga has also been in the director ’s chair , a polar anatomy from theStar Trekgolden age . Of course , The Orvilleis perfectly easy to delight without ever having seenStar Trek , but the experience of the former is made much more rewarding with noesis of the latter .
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Cast
Created by Seth McFarlane and set in the 25th century , The Orville take after the crew of the titulary ship and its maitre d’hotel , Ed Mercer ( McFarlane ) as they search the galaxy . Inspired by Star Trek , it also spoofs the sci - fi classic , taking a comedic approach path to its serialized story and skill - fiction premise . Adrianne Palicki , Penny Johnson Jerald , and Scott Grimes mavin alongside McFarlane as part of an ensemble cast .
